The Parliamentary Thematic Committee on Sustainable Development Goals has revealed a critical lack of drug rehabilitation centers in Matabeleland South and Matabeleland North, leaving residents with limited options for addressing drug and substance abuse.
In its report on the state of drug and substance abuse, the committee highlighted the findings from verification visits to selected centers, including Ngomahuru Psychiatric Hospital, Engutsheni Central Hospital, Gweru Hospital, and Chipadze Rehabilitation Centre.
Proposed rehabilitation centers, such as Mzilikazi Circumcision Centre, Gwanda Hospital, and St. Luke’s Hospital, were also assessed.
The aim of these visits was to evaluate the state of operations and ensure the facilities meet the required standards for harm reduction.
Seconding the motion in the Senate, Senator Nonhlanhla Mlotshwa expressed deep concern over the lack of facilities in the two provinces, forcing people to travel to Bulawayo for help.
“All the senators who participated in the visits were heartbroken by the conditions we saw, especially at Ngomahuru Hospital. Children abusing drugs were placed alongside those with mental health challenges, and the facility lacked basic provisions like food. It was truly painful,” she said.
Mlotshwa added that the staff at the hospitals were unprepared for the committee’s visits and lacked the resources to operate effectively. She called for the establishment of a rehabilitation centre in Matabeleland South, given its proximity to border towns, which exacerbates the drug abuse problem.
“For parents in remote areas like Bulilima, traveling to Gwanda is far, and most end up going to Bulawayo. It is simply not practical for the entire province to rely on Gwanda Hospital, especially when it lacks the necessary facilities,” Mlotshwa explained.
Similarly, in Matabeleland North, St. Luke’s Hospital was identified as the primary facility for children abusing substances such as illicit alcohol. However, the hospital was unprepared for its COVID-19 center to be converted into a rehabilitation facility.
The senator called for immediate action, urging lawmakers to address the lack of resources and question why children are still being directed to mental health institutions instead of dedicated rehabilitation centers.
She also raised concerns over the alarming trend of children abusing unconventional substances like diapers, Mazoe, and Cerevita, attributing this to unemployment and a lack of proper guidance.
“As parents and legislators, we must influence the 2025 budget to prioritise the establishment of rehabilitation centers in Mzilikazi, St. Luke’s, Gwanda, and other district hospitals to support our children,” Mlotshwa urged.
Adding to the discussion, Senator Tambudzani Mohadi underscored the acute shortage of rehabilitation facilities and trained staff in Matabeleland provinces, noting that Gwanda Hospital, the only option in Matabeleland South, lacks essential resources, including bedding and laundry services.
“This is a serious health hazard for the staff and compromises the quality of care. The shortage of psychotherapeutic drugs and critical medications like Chlorpromazine and Diazepam further exacerbates the situation,” Mohadi said.
The committee’s report also noted that Ngomahuru Hospital, in particular, operates more as a detention center due to a lack of proper medication and therapeutic interventions. Patients are often released back into the community after inadequate treatment, posing risks to society and hospital staff.
